Press Room

Dorit Novak appointed Director General of Yad Vashem

Replacing Nathan Eitan

1 May 2013

Dorit Novak has been appointed Director General of Yad Vashem, replacing Nathan Eitan who retired from his position after 7 years working at the side of Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev. The Search Committee’s recommendation to appoint Dorit Novak has been approved by the Yad Vashem Directorate.

Dorit Novak served as Director of Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies for the past 6 years. The School is visited every year by over 315,000 students, soldiers and teachers from Israel and abroad participating in seminars and conferences in some dozen languages. Novak began her tenure at Yad Vashem in January 2006 after serving as Program Director of Mehalev (Wisconsin Plan) at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. Prior to that she was Head of Development and Employment Promotion, a combined program of the Ministry and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Novak also launched and directed the educational non-governmental organization Heznek and managed the company Onyx Technologies. During her army service in the IDF, she served in various positions including Head of the PR Branch and Head of the Culture Division reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. Novak studies education.

Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev said, “I am very pleased that we have succeeded in finding such a worthy candidate from among the executive team here at Yad Vashem. As Yad Vashem turns 60, Dorit is the right person to cope with the challenges before us in the coming decade. I wish Dorit much success and am confident and certain that her vast experience at the International School for Holocaust Studies and in other educational frameworks as well as her many achievements in the field of management and education will greatly benefit Yad Vashem.”

Yesterday, upon commencing her new post, Novak said, “I accept the position of Director General of Yad Vashem with an extraordinary sense of purpose and a commitment to uphold Yad Vashem's unique dedication to Holocaust remembrance. I'm grateful for the trust given to me and, understanding this great responsibility, look forward to working with Chairman Avner Shalev in order to continue fulfilling the mission placed upon Yad Vashem.”